By March, I am starving for spring. I need color and warmer days. This becomes reflected in my knitting. I want something warm and colorful, but not on the heavy icelandic sweater level, just an accessory to add a jolt of color and warm to wear. So I decided I wanted a cowl for indoors to keep drafts off of my extremely long goose neck. I’ve also been having trouble with carpal tunnel issues, so it had to be a quick knit that was light on the wrists. Voila!

DAYTONA COWL

You will need :

Worsted acrylic or wool (#4) in three colors about 100 yds of each. ( I used some Red Heart and Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice)#8 16” circular needlesscissorstapestry needleruler or tape measureStitch marker

Let’s Knit:

Guage:4.5 stitches to the inch, 6 rows to the inch in stockinette.

RING #1:

Cast on 95. Add a stitch marker. Join round.

Begin knitting. Be careful to not let the stitches twist around on the first round.

HINT: Continue knitting (this creates a Stockinette fabric when done in the round).

Oh, if it be to choose and call thee mine – love, thou art every day my Valentine!—Thomas Hood

Who doesn’t love conversation hearts for Valentine’s Day? I tuck my heart bouquet onto my mantle the day I take down the Christmas decorations. This bouquet is a quick craft, perfect for kids – it takes just about an hour to make, including drying time. This makes a great DIY Valentine centerpiece.

Punch a hole at the top center of the cube with a screwdriver or knitting needle.

Prepare each conversation heart flowers by peeling the liners off of two heart stickers and pressing the pipe cleaner between them. Push the pipe cleaner stem into the hole on the cube. Add about a dozen more such flowers.

For variety, you can twist together two pipe cleaners and shape the top third into a heart to tuck into the cube.

“My mother told me once that she had her talk with God whenever she started a new sweater: 'Please don't take me in the middle of the sweater.' And as soon as she finished knitting a sweater, and it was blocked and put together, she already had the wool to start the next sweater so that nothing bad would happen.” — Judy Blume

I wrote my original diagonal rib hat pattern for a baby last February. Since then, I’ve received several requests for it in other sizes. So I have written this pattern for baby - adult, with directions for each size. There is a downloadable version to make life easier. I’ve also tried to kill any bugs in the pattern, but if something isn’t clear. Feel free to write me. Thanks! This pattern does require some concentration for the rib, but once you are past the rib, perfect tv project.

Baby size: 16” in circumference

Toddler size: 18.5” in circumference

Adult (child teen): 21.5” in circumference

You will need:

#7 16” circular needles

#7 double point needles

tapestry needle

pompom maker

scissors

tape measure

1 skein of Lion’s Brand Vanna’s Choice yarn (The yarn’s label recommends an 8, I chose a 7 for a tighter knit fabric).

Gauge: Always take time to knit the gauge4.5 stitches and 6 rows to the inch in Stockinette in the round

Baby, (Toddler, Adult)

Cast on 72, (84, 96), add stitch marker, join round.

Diagonal Rib:

Rounds 1-2: *K3, P3* repeat from * to * end with P3 at stitch marker.

Round 3: *K3, P3* repeat from * to * end, Then P1, shift stitch marker to after this purl stitch. (This is what shifts the stitches to create the diagonal.)

Round 4-5: *K3, P3* repeat from * to * end with P3 at stitch marker.

Round 6: *K3, P3* repeat from * to * end with P3, Then P1, shift stitch marker to after this purl stitch. (This is what shifts the stitches to create the diagonal.)

Round 7-8: *K3, P3* repeat from * to * end with P3 at stitch marker.

Round 9: *K3, P3* repeat from * to * Then P1, shift stitch marker to after this purl stitch. (This is what shifts the stitches to create the diagonal.)

Repeat Rounds 1-9 until the rib measures 3 inches. End final round with a P3.

Now Knit in stockinette for another 5, (6, 6) inches. Hat is a total of 8(9,9) inches from cast on. When knitting in the round, you just knit to get a stockinette stitch, there is not purling. The magic of knitting in the round.

Begin decreases:

*K2tog, K2* repeat until end of round. Switch to double points when it is too difficult to continue on the circulars.

Tis the season to be jolly. It snowed in my neck of the universe which is a rare occurence for November. It is putting me in the holiday spirit for certain with hot chocolate, soup and my knitting basket.

I also like to make ornaments for my tree. Here are a few Christmas decorations I have developed over the years. Some are simple, others require a few more parts to complete but all are easy and fun.

Is it ever to early to get ready for Christmas.? Not according to Edna Ferber or my Mom. Mom was a Christmas nut. She had a room dedicated to it in her house where she stored all her wrapping and holiday crafting supplies. By October she had all her presents bought and wrapped. She was a caterer, so once November hit, she was working 12 hour days until after New Years. So the early present wrapping was a strategy to be organized given her business restraints.

“Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas.” ―Peg Bracken

We are past Halloween and the Christmas Crafting Frenzy has begun. I love to make my gifts. It feels extra special as when I make them I am thinking of that friend or family member, trying to make the gift perfect for them. So with that in mind, I have created a roundup of readers favorite patterns. These are each one weekend projects. There are just 6 weekends left until Christmas, so there you go- 6 projects. 6 people to check off of your list. Now wasn’t that simple?!

I will be bringing you new patterns over the week, so stay tuned. These were created last year and have already been given as gifts, so I am on my way to making new ones. I am hoping for one new pattern per week until Christmas.

Who said disco was dead? Add some sequins to Smoothfoam and you’ll have a pair of fashionable disco ball earrings that will have you swinging to your favorite dusty dance mix. They’re super light, despite their size. Wear them out on the town tonight – they’re sure to get attention!

1. Poke a hole with the awl straight through the center of each Smoothfoam ball, top to bottom.

2. Spread a little glue on one section of a ball. Pour a little glue on your work surface and dip a toothpick into it, then use the glue tip to pick up a sequin and position it on the ball with the cup-side facing outward. Cover each ball with sequins like this – poke another toothpick into the bottom of the ball as a handle to hold. Poke each ball into a scrap piece of Smoothfoam and allow to dry thoroughly.

3. Add a bead to the bottom of a head pin and slide the pin up through the sequined ball. Put the pin through the last link of one chain and curl the tip of the headpin into a loop with the round pliers.

4. Add the ball and chain to an earring wire with a jump ring, using both pliers, repeat with the second ball.

A recent crafting challenge was all things vintage. It was difficult to settle on just one project. There was my stash of skeleton keys begging to be made into more jewelry and 40 year old Dresden paper scraps perfect for cards and scrapbooking. but it was the giant box of Paternayan wool yarn that called to me. I inherited it from my aunt who was an avid stitcher and rarely seen without her "work." The colors are rich and vibrant, reminding me of her different projects. She always purchased a little extra to be sure she had enough of a certain dyelot. I needed some coasters, so I chose 3 colors and got started.

MATERIALS:

10" x 13" piece of 7-count plastic canvas in white

3 colors of needlepoint yarn

scissors

tapestry needle (size 22 or 20)

DIRECTIONS:

I wanted a coaster that was 3.5"x3.5", so I cut a piece of canvas that has 24 holes x 24 holes as 7 holes = 1 inch.

I threaded the needle and began stitching with the darkest color first, in my case it was brown. I used the continental tent stitchthroughout the piece, preferring to work in concentric squares rather than row by row.

When I needed to start a new color, I tucked the tail of the old color into the back of the stitches prior to moving on to the next color.

The process of starting a new color is similar to ending the previous one. You simply pull your tail through the back of the stitches, pulling your needle out where you want to begin. Note, when first starting, you don't have any previous stitches in which to tuck in your tail's end. You can do so later using the same procedure for ending a color or work your stitches over it as you go.

Once you have completed the pattern and tucked in all ends, you will still need to stitch over the outer edge of plastic. I used a light color whipstitchingover the edge, giving the work a finished look.

As you've worked the stitches in the continental tent stitch, the back of work will be equally coverd, adding a second layer of protection between your hot mug and the table top.

You have enough plastic to make 4 coasters. Make a matching set or have fun experimenting with color! Make them for a Christmas or hostess gift.

I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. ~Charles Dickens

It is already September 1st, time is a ticking.... How are your Christmas preparations coming along? Now don't laugh. I am not kidding. Christmas comes close on the heals of Thanksgiving, which gives one very little time to craft and prepare. Rather than stress out, I am suggesting that we, meaning you and me, learn from my mother who started her preparations in July. Running a catering business as a single parent kept her extremely busy from the 1st of November though New Years, but she was not about to lose out on any of the fun. She had a room she designated her wrapping room. When Mom passed away in October, 2008, we found gifts for us already wrapped. I couldn't' stop crying at the time, but I was so grateful to have that one last present to tuck under my tree.

Here are some patterns for crafts I created over the last few years that proved to be reader favorites, so I thought I'd share them here in case you haven't seen them. #3 is my favorite as it takes your favorite ornaments and puts them front and forward on your front door to greet your guests. I fill in the blank spots with tinsel garland which I know is beginning to show up in the aisles at the craft stores. Dig through your treasures and find a few favorites and give it a try. I also love the paper tree. So simple. And so easy to do. If you have a bored little one still off school and whining that they have nothing to do..... well, get them Christmas crafting!

Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Gardens are an excellent source for inspiration. I love to walk around them watching the buzz of activity as bumble bees seek pollen and butterflies dance in the sky. The variety of leaves one can find is astounding! They come in so many shapes and sizes. And have you noticed that some have smooth edges while others are zigzagged?

Let’s have fun studying leaves while creating a cool composition!

To get started you will need:

Let’s create!

1. Collect leaves.Go out in your garden and collect and assortment of leaves. Freshly picked large ones are the easiest to use, but even small delicate ones may incorporated. If it is winter and your garden is asleep, use a few from house plants.

2. Arrange your leaves.Lay your leaves on your paper. Move them around, turning them in different angles. Let a few go off the edge of the page.

3. Trace your leaves.Once you are satisfied with your composition, trace each of the leaves. This takes some patience. Start with the big ones that are extra sturdy to get in some practice before you move to delicate ones with zigzag edges. If you make a mistake, no worries, that’s why erasers were invented.

4. Trace over your lines with watercolor pencil.When you have finished tracing, remove your leaves. Trace over your lines with watercolor pencils. You can use the same color for each leaf or go wild and mix it up by changing colors with each leaf. Watercolor pencils are super fun to use as they allow you to draw delicate lines, but when you run a wet brush over them they will transform into watercolor paint.

5. Color your background.Fill in the background, the space around your leaves, with watercolor paint or use your watercolor pencils and run a wet brush over your coloring. Don’t forget to let your painting dry before you move it!

Tip: Before switching colors, rinse your watercolor rush out with water and dry it off on the paper towel. This will keep your colors from mixing and turning brown.

This project developed during my time as an Artist in Residence at the Kilbourn Park Organic Greenhouse in 2013. The student's watercolors became the basis for a large mural we later did in the building. They examined the leaves, native birds, animals and insects, as well as the fruit and vegetables growing in the greenhouse and vegetable garden. See more at this post. I love the bumble bee with a pointy blue nose. And doesn't every garden need a rainbow?! I simply transferred their drawings onto 9x12 inch wood boards and then they painted with acrylic. I then varnished each to protect their work. The boards were arranges and then installed on the wall. This could easily be a fun school project!

I've been doing quite a few video projects for a new client and found this post as I went digging through my archives on my old blog. Oh good grief , it is rather embarrassing to look at now. I was such the informercial.... But I reshare this post as I think the tips I wrote out still hold true today. Hope they help you.

If you are looking to make a video, I recommend the following basic points:

Write out a basic script. This helps you remember all those points you want to cover. (2018 update: If you are working with a smart phone, you can write up your dialog in advance and have it roll on your screen as a prompter. The app is called BigVu.It is really worth the price ( I think it was $5.99). Sophisticated enough that you can change the background to look like you are out in outerspace!

Note in the script what camera angles you want.

Do several run throughs to practice and get more comfortable.

Use regular lighting, but be sure it is consistent. All the lightbulbs should be the same temperature.

Your background should be fairly neutral.

Use an external mic to cut down on that "tin" sound that often happens with internal mics.

Work with a friend to handle the camera so you can get feedback as you talk.

Make sure you talk as you demonstrate. No dead air time!

Keep it to 3 minutes or less.

And be sure to end with announcing your website or Facebook page so folks can learn more fabulous tips from you!

Thank you to the folks at Sullivans USA. They did the editing and didn't laugh (as far as I know) at any of my bloopers. Be sure to check out their Facebook page.

Anyone can count the seeds in an apple, but only God can count the number of apples in a seed. - Robert Schuller

A trip to a local apple orchard inspired this project. Apples (and other fruits and vegetables) make great stamps for printing a pattern repeat for a mixed media project or even a small roll of gift paper. With the summer produce rolling into the markets, you can try printing cabbage, carrots, celery for a vast array of textures, try leaves around in your garden. Water-Soluable printing ink makes this a kid friendly project. Get started on the holidays, by printing your own Christmas wrapping paper with a roll of white paper. Or substitute water soluble ink for slightly watered down acrylic paint to print onto a cloth bag for groceries.

To get started you will need:– an apple (pear, orange, onion)– cutting board– knife (used only by an adult)– water-soluble printing ink– printing brayer– old plastic tray– paper for printing– paper (brown paper, newspaper) to cover work table– apron

Let’s create!

1. Prepare your work surface.Cover your table with newspaper or brown paper to protect it. This process is slightly messy, so always better to err on the side of caution. Put on your apron.

2. Select your fruit.Select a fruit or vegetable with an interesting shape or texture when cut in half. With a sharp knife and a cutting board, cut your selection in two pieces. Use one half if only using one color or both halves for two colors.

3. Ink your tray.Remove the cutting board and knife. Squeeze a small amount of ink onto the center of the plastic tray. If you are using two colors, use two trays and brayers. Smooth out the ink with a brayer. Don’t have too much fun squishing it around! The ink dries quickly.

4. Print your pattern.Determine your repeat. Will you make rows? What about a checkerboard look with two different colors? Push the cut side into the ink and press it onto your paper. Repeat until you have covered the entire surface of your paper. If you run out of ink, reink your tray. If you aren’t getting an even amount of ink on the surface of the fruit, roll ink across the flat surface with the brayer.

5. Clean up.Place your art aside to dry. Use warm, sudsy water to wash your tray and brayer. Allow to air dry. Recycle the newsprint.

Frame your art. Use it as background for a mixed media piece. Wrap a present with it.

"Words form the thread on which we string our experiences." -- Aldous Huxley

This bangle is the adult version of a friendship bracelet. You can make one for yourself and for your BFF in her favorite colors. Go glam and make a set for date night using assorted metallic threads. The materials are basic and easy to find, you could even upcycle an old plastic bangle to make this project. Best yet, these only take an hour to make! You can rock these by color for each season. I chose a beach watery theme, but you could go red and green for Christmas. Black and Orange for Halloween or Red, White and Blue for the 4th of July!

To get started you need the following:

MATERIALS

wood bangle bracelet - I used one from DIY Bangles that is 1/4" x 3" with a flat exterior shape.

1. If you are right handed, place the tail ontop of the bracelet with the tail facing to the left and held securely by your left hand. If you are left handed follow these instructions in reverse beginning with the tail facing to the right and held by your right hand.

2. With the tail securely held, proceed to wrap from right to left over the tail pulling firmly as you go.

3. Continue wrapping until you have covered a desired amount.

4. Thread your needle with the remainder and tuck it under the portion you have wrapped.

5. Pull the needle through and trim away excess thread. Trim away any tail that may still be seen.

6. Proceed to the next color repeating the same procedure, beginning with cutting an 18" length of thread.

7. Continue working in the same manner with each color in sequence.

8. I worked a 4 color repeat 4 times. I didn't concern myself with each wrapped section being equal in length, though you can certainly measure by counting wraps or using a ruler.

"Creative people are curious, flexible, persistent, and independent with a tremendous spirit of adventure and a love of play." -- Henri Matisse

I am addicted to making "knick knack" boxes. These boxes holding everything from paper napkins in my kichen to assorted sewing supplies in my studio. They are also the perfect way to explore different crafting supplies.

Let's Create:Take off the hinges and the closure on the box with the screwdriver. Set these parts to the side. HINT: I put them in an envelope to prevent losing them. Tiny screws have way of disappearing in one's studio.

Lightly sand the wood, removing any rough bits. Don't sand it so much that you end up with rounded edges!

Paint the entire box with the craft acrylic paint using the sponge brush. Do two coats allowing the paint to dry in between layer of paint.

Measure the top of your lid. My box (from Darice) has a 6.5" interior.

Cut your paper into 4 squares using your paper trimmer (or use a ruler and pencil to measure and mark on the back and then use scissors). You need a 6.5", 5.5", 4.5" and 3.5" square. I used two papers, alternating between them.

Using your Kool Tak™ Layer Perfect Tool, mark the stitch holes on the 5.5" paper piercing as you go. HINT: I put a piece of old cardboard underneath as I pierced to protect my worktable.

Cut a 24" piece of the perle cotton embroidery thread and thread your needle. Embroider a running stitch around the edge of your 5.5" paper. Finish off with a knot on the back.

Use your Kool Tak™ Layer Perfect Tool to center the 3.5" square onto the 4.5" square. Tear off a piece of the Kool Tak™ Premium EXTREME tape - 2 ½ x 27 yards and place it on the back of the 3.5" square. Peel off the paper backing and stick the smaller square to the larger square.

Proceed to center and tape the 4.5" square onto the 5.5" square. (Note: I centered and taped my 4.5" square to the 5.5" square prior to the stitching, hence why you see it in my photos.)

Center the 5.5" square within the 6.5" square. Place 4 squares of Kool Tak™ Clear Foam pads in each corner of the 5.5" square, remove the backing and stick to the 6.5" square.

Place your layered squares to the side.

Next tear off a piece of the Kool Tak™ Premium EXTREME tape that is approximately 2" x 2" and place it on your 2" wood circle. Trim excess with scissors. Peel off the paper backing and place a copper colored sheet of the Kool Tak™ Shiny Transfer Foil Sheets onto the sticky surface, pressing it in place as you go. (HINT: Press from the center to the edges of the circle to prevent any ripples in the foil.)

Carefully peel off the foil. Use your finger nail to distress the surface a bit and shake some glitter on top. It will stick to the distressed areas. Brush off any excess.

Center the circle within the the top square (the 3.5" one) using the Kool Tak™ Layer Perfect Tool Add some Kool Tak™ Premium EXTREME tape to the back of the circle, remove the paper backing and firmly press int place. Set the layers to the side.

Using the Kool Tak™ Layer Perfect Tool, place ten squares of Kool Tak™ Clear Foam pads - ¼ x ¼ x 1/32” thick along the top edge of your lid spacing them evenly as you go. HINT: It is easiest to place the squares at the corners and center and then the others to insure that they are evenly spaced apart. Proceed to add squares on the remaining 3 sides of the lid.

Remove the backing of the squares and sprinkle fine glitter along them. Brush off any excess glitter. (I removed the paper featured in the above photo from the lid before I shook on my glitter.) I love how the glitter on the foam squares looks like mini pieces of glass mosaic!

Press a line of the Kool Tak™ Clear Foam tape - 3/16 x 1/16 thick by 1.6 yards along the lower rim of the lid. Don't cover the holes for the closure or the area for the hinges! Remove the backing and sprinkle the same glitter you just used.

Proceed to now put your layered squares / wood circle onto the lid. The Kool Tak™ Premium EXTREME tape is fabuously sticky, yet easy to tear. I tore off large pieces, removed the paper backings and then tore off smaller bits to get into the corners.

Place your layered squares /wood circle onto the lid and press firmly. I have to admit, having never used Kool Tak™ Premium EXTREME tape until making this project, I love how it sticks to both paper AND wood.

Measure two 6.5" x 1/2" pieces of paper lace or trim. Cut two 6.5" pieces of the Kool Tak™ Clear Foam tape - 3/16 x 1/16 thick by 1.6 yards and press along the lower edge of the trim. Remove the backing and press firmly into place along the top and lower edge of the 6.5" square.

To make stickers to embellish the sides of your box take one of your papers and add rows of the Kool Tak™ Premium EXTREME tape to back.

Turn your box to the side. Using the Kool Tak™ Layer Perfect Tool center three of the scalloped circles. Remove the paper backing from the punches and firmly press into place.

Proceed to do the same on the other three sides.

Screw the hinges and closure back into place.

For the final touch, punch 7 scalloped circles from assorted matching papers. Layer the scalloped circles ontop of each other, sticking them in place with small bits of the Kool Tak™ Premium EXTREME tape.

Cut small notches into the circle at each scallop edge.

Fold each petal forward. Add a small bit of Kool Tak™ Premium EXTREME tape to the center of the back, remove the backing and place it on your copper circle. Use the Kool Tak™ Layer Perfect Tool to center it.

And voila! You have a new box, all glittery and beautiful, to store your favorite treasures.

Collagraphy is a printmaking process. There are a variety of ways to do it, but I love using the simple material of an old file folder for the print plate. The image is from a art class I taught one summer and was made by a 9 year old. The results can be spectacular.

To get started you will need:– an old file folder– liquid glue (such as Elmer’s)– scissors– water-soluble printing ink– printing brayer– old plastic tray– paper for printing (Black construction paper was used in the example.)– paper for sketching– pencil– paper (brown paper, newspaper) to cover work table– apron

Let’s create!

1. Prepare your work surface.Cover your table with newspaper or brown paper to protect it. This process is slightly messy, so it’s always better to err on the side of caution. Don’t forget to put on your apron!

2. Sketch out your idea.Sketch out your idea on a sheet of paper the size of your file folder. Do you want to create a clown? A landscape? The trick to a great collagraph is to make the image with plenty of negative space. To make this clown, each distinct feature of the face and costume were drawn, but not the base of the head. There is space between the lips and the bow tie, the nose and the lips etc. The second trick is to make your image big, bold and simplistic. A tiny clown face with lots of details just won’t print as well.

3. Make your printing plate.Cut the file folder in half along the fold line. Use one side as print base and the other to cut out your shapes. Draw your shapes, cut them out and arrange them on the print base. Once you have an image you like, glue the pieces into place. Make sure you get the edges of each piece! You don’t want any to curl up when the glue has dried. Allow the glue to thoroughly dry before proceeding.

4. Ink your tray.Squeeze a small amount of ink onto the center of the plastic tray. Smooth out the ink with a brayer. Don’t have too much fun squishing it around! The ink dries quickly.

5. Ink your printing plate.Roll the ink across the surface of your printing plate. Move your brayer in different directions to get the best coverage possible.

6. Make the print.Center your paper over the printing plate and press into place. Run your hands across the surface of the paper adding pressure. If you have another brayer you can roll it over the surface or use the back of an old wooden spoon. Once you’ve pressed the paper all across the printing plate, peel it back to see your print.

7. Make several prints.Use a paper towel to wipe off any globs of ink that remains on your print plate. You will be able to make 4-5 prints before the plate is worn out. Let your prints dry and arrange them in a collage like this example or use them to make cards, posters or covers for your journal.

8. Clean up.Place your art aside to dry. Use warm, sudsy water to wash your tray and brayer. Allow to air dry. Recycle the newsprint.

The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls. -- Pablo Picasso

Pointillism is a way of creating an image by building up dots of color. George Seurat is perhaps the most famous of painters to use this technique. Rather than use oil paint, I like to teach the concept with rubber stamp pads in assorted colors and some brand new pencils. The eraser tips make beautiful dots and little fingers stay clean!

To get started you will need:– rubber stamp pads (Many companies are making them with three colors to a pad.)– brand new pencils, one for each color to be used– a sharpened pencil for sketching– white paper (Computer paper is fine.)

Let’s create!1. Sketch out your idea.With a sharpened pencil, sketch out your idea. Do you want to make a picture of your house or your garden? You decide. Draw lightly. You don’t want your pencil marks to be obvious in your finished illustration.

2. Fill in you first layer of colors.Press your eraser into the stamp pad and make a mark on your paper. To achieve a clear, perfect dot press firmly while holding the pencil perpendicular to the paper. If you hold the pencil at an angle you are likely to make a half moon shape. You will notice that you will need to reink your eraser often if you want darker dots. If you want lighter dots, keep stamping until the ink runs out before reinking your eraser.

3. Add your second and third layers of color.Your image may be too faint, so you need to add another layer. Experiment. What happens when you add dark blue dots on top of green dots? Keep adding dots and switching colors until you achieve an image you like. Remember to not mix your colors! Use a separate pencil eraser for each color. Allow your image to dry.

1. Poke a toothpick into each ball and set in onto the cardboard. This makes the balls easier to paint.

2. Paint two coats of paint on each ball (3 green and 2 blue). Allow the paint to dry between coats.

3. Paint polka dots in the opposite color on each ball. To make nice neat dots, dab the back end of your paint brush into the paint to make the dot; allow to dry.

4. Poke a hole all the way through the center of each ball with the needle.

5. Thread the ribbon through the needle, then thread one of the green balls onto the ribbon and push it to the center of the ribbon. Make overhand knots on each side of the ball. Add a blue ball, make an overhand knot, add a green ball, and make an overhand knot. Remove your needle, then thread the other half of the ribbon through it. Alternate the colored balls and knots on the other side in the same way.

6. Cut the ends of the ribbon on an angle and make overhand knots at each end. To wear your necklace, tie the ends into a bow at the back.

*** Please note I was given supplies by Smoothfoam to make this project.

I love my bling and Cousin makes it so easy! Their new slide bracelet components are gorgeous and simple to use. I had to keep my daughter out of the studio as I worked. She kept trying to sneak off with the finished bracelets before I had a chance to photograph them! For each bracelet I was able to coordinate and add as I wanted. The slide beads come in pre-coordinated sets for all tastes from rock-n-roll to girly romantic. I rarely wear bracelets as they are generally too bigfor my skinny wrists, so I especially love that I can cut the leather bands to size.

To make one of these leather bracelets, you will need:

Cousin slide bracelet components and leather band

e6000 glue

scissors if you choose to size down the leather band

tape measure

Let's create!

Use the tape measure to measure your wrist. You decide how tight a fit you want and then cut (or not) the band to size. Each band also comes with rubber stoppers.

Arrange the various slide components in an order you like and then slide them onto the leather band. Add the rubber stoppers if you don't want the components to slide.

Add glue inside the cup of each end piece and add to the end of the leather band. Be sure to allow your new creation to dry overnight!

Yep, it's that simple!

*** Please note that I received the materials from Cousin to test out for free.

“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” - Pablo Picasso

Do you have a particular image of your child’s that you love and think would be fabulous as an embroidered pillow or as part of that newly refinished kitchen table? The process couldn’t be simpler!

To get started you will need:– your child’s drawing– a knitting needle or chopstick– carbon paper– masking tape (painter’s version as it is less sticky and won’t leave a residue)

Let’s create!If you are working with cloth, iron out all the wrinkles. Tape it to a hard surface. Place the carbon paper, ink side facing the cloth, table or whatever your project surface may be. Position your child’s drawing on top of the carbon paper and tape it in place. Trace the lines with a knitting needle or chopstick. You could use a blunt pencil, but you will end up leaving a mark on your child’s drawing. Remove drawing and carbon paper.

This project isn’t of course limited to children’s drawings. It is a great way to transfer your own images too.

As I frequently tell new knitters, a mistake is simply a new stitch. I was knitting up the traditional Ridge Rib. I didn't realize until I took the photograph that I forgot one row. Uh, oops. And hence a new stitch is born! It isn't reversible.

So here we are on week two of the KAL afghan. I know it seems slow going. The knitting is actually quick. I am just slow at all the photography, graphics and typing up of instructions. If you have a burning desire to just get going, then by all means you have now 8 different stitches to try out in a variety of colors. They will look slightly different with each color. But if you are patient and have a zillion other interruptions in your life like I do, there is definitely more stitching fun to come.

This stitch makes a dressy, reversible fabric. A nice option for blankets and scarves. Personally I am working it up into a vest.

This stitch is fun to do with its easy 4 row repeat. You need to mark the front with a stitch marker otherwise you can lose track while watching Netflix.

Remember the original project was to make a 49 x 63 inch afghan in wool from 7X7 inch squares. But if you want to make this for a charity like Warm Up America, they request squares/ rectangles be knit 7"x9" in acrylic or machine washable wool.

The checkerboard is another reversible stitch. I redesigned this one with an 8 stitch repeat rather than the more common 10. Why? I wanted it to fit the 4 stitch gauge for the width of out squares.

I chose Cascade 220 for this project as it is an easy to obtain basic high quality wool in a large color range. One viewer mentioned the expense of wool. Well, this is true. Wool is more expensive than acrylic. Sign up for online shops like Webs and for the newsletter of your local yarn store to get notice of when certain wool yarns are on sale. You could also just use up your stash, making sure that you stay on gauge for a 7 x7 inch square. And you can set up an alert on Craigs List for yarn and trust me, many folks get into knitting and get in deep and then lose interest and want to sell or give away their stash! Worth taking a look. And don't forget to let all your friends know that you knit. I can't tell you how much yarn has come my way through friends and friends of friends.

This stitch lays flat. It is reversible. Great for scarves and edges on garments, like a cuff or collar. The trick to this stitch is to knit the purl stitches of the previous row and purl the knit stitches of the previous row. This is a great one for learning to read your stitches.

This is it! Squee! I am so excited to share a Knit along project with you. I was at Vogue Knitting Live, Chicago 2018 and while listening to a speaker suggest that you buy an extra skein to make a larger swatch than the typical 4"x4". I thought brilliant! Yes, I should do that too, if only to get a better sense of the fabrics drape. So I am setting out to review the basic library of knit purl stitch combinations in a 7"x7" format. Each square will be collected to make a blanket. I wanted a project that could be created in small bits as dragging around giant knit projects to the local coffee shop is a tad annoying. Smaller is also good for summer. Start now and you could have a 49" x 63" blanket ready to go for next winter. How cool is that!

So the way this will work is each Sunday evening at 8pm I will be live streaming on Periscope as @lbostudio. Tune in to watch me. I will be answering knit questions. Sharing with you what I've learned from 45(!) years of knitting and working in the industry in various capacities. I've owned a yarn store, was on the board of the yarn trade association, and design for books and magazines.

I am sorry that the video is cut off. YouTube gives me a time limit of 14 minutes of a 23 minute broadcast that I am allowed to upload. You may watch the full replay on Periscope. I will also upload what I can onto YouTube.

I am keeping my palette simple. I am working with just three colors, french blue, cream and camel. I am using Cascade 220. A nice sturdy basic wool in a worsted weight. To do this for charity, Warm Up America is my charity target. They ask the rectangles be 7" x 9" and knit in acrylic. So make it in wool for yourself or acrylic for charity, make it in pastels for a baby blanket or two. The project is truly flexible. You could also work with a washable wool.

This is challenging me to think about the basics in groups so that they make sense and you build skills. Photography is my other challenge. Not my strength. I prefer to photograph in natural light and there has been rain in my hometown for nearly two weeks solid. So hopefully as time goes, my photos will improve.

Let's Knit:

You will need approximately 2000 yards of worsted (#4) yarn. As I am working with Cascade 220 with 220 yards a skein.....

Basic math: 3 colors 2000/220= approx 9.0909 skeins of yarn. As I am working with 3 colors, that is 3 skeins of each color.

Basically you want a worsted yarn that works up to 4 stitches to the inch on an 8 needle. If you want to destash and mix up yarns, that's fine but stay on gauge.

Afghan / Blanket Size: 49" x 63". So if you are knitting 7" x 7" squares that will be 63 squares. Multiply by only 4 squares a week - 16 weeks to complete. Start now to be done by Fall 2018.

If you are knitting 7"x9" rectangles for Warm Up America. that will be 49 rectangles. 4 patterns a week, , 13 weeks to complete. Again Start now to be done by Fall 2018.

10 skeins of Cascade 220. 3 each of French Blue and Camel, 4 of cream #8 knitting needlestapestry needlescissorsmeasuring tapeBlocking matt-pinsSpray bottle with water to block.

Start with the basic Seed Stitch. When you see *K1,P1* that means work the K1,P1 across the row.

Work the stitches in order as presented. They build upon each other.

Have questions? Leave me a comment or reach out on Periscope or Facebook

The texture is more subtle than seed with the addition of the knit row every other row. Pin a safety pin to the wrong side of the fabric so you always know which side you are on at a glance. l presonally love this stitch. It is quick and subtle. Great for jackets and vests. It is not fully reversible.

It sort of looks like Sand. It doesn't curl. The texture is more subtle. A great one to work into a fisherman style or Guernsey sweater.

This one is also called Double Seed stitch. You can see why as it works up just like seed but everything is doubled. Another sturdy one that lays flat and is reversible another good choice for a scarf. I love it in cardigans along the lower 2 inches before I move into stockinette.

Welcome!If some of these posts seem familiar, they were on my previous blog "Serendipity" which I ran for 10 years on a different platform. I copied popular posts to my current new blog. Enjoy and let me know what you would like to read about.

My blog posts have been archived by category. If you can't find what you want quickly then look up a how to by medium in the search. If you have any problems, please let me know!